The Challenge of Alzheimer's
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
 
        In the early 1980's a colleague brought to my attention her concern that doctors had concluded that her father had Alzheimer's Disease because their tests revealed no other cause for his dementia.  At the time, I and many others knew little about the disease because it was dealt with generally as forgetfulness, aging, or senility.  A front-page newspaper article a few days after my colleague's conversation with me made me aware of the prevalence of the disease and its devastating impact on its victims and their caregivers.  Legislation I introduced established an Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission that I chaired for several years and the Alzheimer's Disease Research Award Fund that was the first state-level, seed-money fund for research to find the causes and cures of the dread disease.
 
        Much more is known today about Alzheimer's Disease, and most people know at least one person with the disease.  More than five million people including 17,000 in Fairfax County have the disease in what some term an escalating epidemic.  There are no survivors of Alzheimer's, and there is no cure.  It is the sixth leading cause of death in this country.  Researchers are coming closer to developing accurate ways to diagnose Alzheimer's and treat the disease. 
 
        Alzheimer's is primarily but not exclusively a disease affecting older people.  One in six women and one in ten men who reach 55 can expect to develop Alzheimer's in their remaining lifetime.  That would amount to ten million baby boomers.  Virginia's population as with the Nation is getting older.  The April 2009 issue of The Virginia News Letter published by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service (www.coopercenter.org) focused on Virginia's growing older population.  It states that in the next 20 years, Virginians age 65 and older will double from 900,000 to 1.8 million and in percentage of the population will grow from 12 to 19 percent.  By 2030 the number of persons over age 85 is expected to increase from about 90,000 currently to 250,000.
 
        The higher prevalence of Alzheimer's is but one challenge brought about with an aging population.  But with Alzheimer's there are unique challenges related to caregiving.  It is estimated that a quarter million American children are providing for a loved one with Alzheimer's.  Community resources to provide respite for the caregivers are essential.  Recently at a meeting sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association I learned of the assistance that is being provided to employers to make workplace adaptations for their employees who are caregivers.
 
        For other resources and information on Alzheimer's and on aging, visit www.alz.org, www.vcu.edu/vcoa, and www.fairfaxcounty.gov/AAA.  If I can provide additional information, write to me at kenplum@aol.com.